The South African Military History Society and the Ladysmith Siege Museum Trust have pleasure in announcing that they are arranging a History Conference to coincide with the 110th Commemoration of the Anglo-Boer War
This particular month has been selected because it coincides with the commemoration of three of the significant battles that took place during the Siege and Relief of Ladysmith - namely Caesar's Camp / Wagon Hill (also known as 'Platrand') on the 6th January, iNtabamnyama between the 20th and 22nd January and Spioenkop on the 24th January 1900.
The dates for the conference are 25-27 January 2010 (Tuesday to Wednesday). The conference will take place at Platrand Lodge, Ladysmith.
Besides organising tours to the battlefields featuring the Siege of Ladysmith, including the conventional Battles of Elandslaagte and Colenso, the organisers envisage a service of reconciliation on Sunday 24th January 2010, the 110th anniversary of the famous Battle of Spioenkop, following a tour of that battlefield.
Interested speakers and academics are invited to contact the KwaZulu-Natal Branch of the South African Military History Society's representative on the organising committee, Mr Ken Gillings on ken.gillings@mweb.co.za or by writing to him at 19 Bearemount Park, 4 Ryan Road, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 3610 and providing him with details about their paper and/or poster presentation. Alternatively Eugene Campher, chairman of the Siege Museum Trust can be contacted at camphere@telkomsa.net or write to him at 16 White Rd, Ladysmith, 3370, South Africa.
Ken Gillings
Tel: +27 (0)31 702 4828
Cell phone/Mobile: +27 (0)83 654 5880
E-mail: ken.gillings@mweb.co.za
Skype: kenheath1
Eugene Campher
Tel: +27(0)36 631 2839
Cell phone/ Mobile: +27(0)82 801 6524
E-mail: camphere@telkomsa.net
Skype: eugene1953
Links: www.ladysmith.co.za
www.samilitaryhistory.org
Egypt leg 14-20 May
14 May
Fly Johannesburg - Cairo. Egyptair. Meet RBL guide. One night half board in Grand Pyramids Hotel, Cairo (4 star) Dinner beside the Nile.
15 May
· a.m. Cairo - Egpytian Museum, Pyramids and Sphinx.
· p.m. Drive to El Alamein (4-5 hours) & overnight in Charm Life Hotel. Half board.
16 May - El Alamein area
· War Cemetery
· Museum
· Battlefield area. Lunch provided.
Drive to Mersa Matruh & overnight in Beau Site Hotel. Half board
17 May - Packed lunch provided.
· Visit battlefield area Sollum/Halfaya
· Drive to Libya (Bardia) & overnight in Bardia Hotel. Half board.
18 May
Desert tour by 4WD vehicle (packed lunch provided) to include:
· Tobruk defences
· Knightsbridge & Gazala battle
· Knightsbridge Acroma War Cemetery, plus, if time & energy permit, Sidi Rezegh
· Return to Bardia & overnight. Half board.
19 May
Return to El Alamein - Overnight in Charm Life Hotel. Half board
20 May
Drive to Cairo. RBL guide departs. Fly to Italy or return to SA. Egyptair.
NORTH AFRICA LEG ONLY 14-20 MAY 09
| Minimum paying travellers | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 plus | Single supplement | Deposit per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum paying travellers | R19 100.00 | R18 100.00 | R17 700.00 | R17 200.00 | R2 890.00 | R4 350.00 |
The above costs were based on the exchange rate being R14.50 to the pound.
Price includes:
· Flights (Egyptair) Johannesburg-Cairo and Cairo-Johannesburg; Economy class
· Hotel accommodation and meals as shown in itinerary.
· Services of Royal British Legion battlefield guide for North Africa and relevant map pack.
· Coaching as per the itinerary for North Africa.
· Visa for Libya included in cost but cost of required Arabic passport translation is not included. Visa not required for Egypt.
Day 1 (20 May)
Arrive Rome. Meet new RBL Guide - drive to Cassino area (via Caserta). Two nights half board Hotel Pavone (3-star), Cassino.
Day 2 - 21 May - Cassino battlefield area including 6 SA Armd Div area.
Day 3 - 22 May -Drive to Rome. Two nights half board. Hotel Portamaggiore, Rome. (3-star)
Day 4 - 23 May - Free day in Rome or optional city tour.
Day 5 - 24 May - Drive to Florence. One night half board in Hotel Corona d’Italia, Florence. (3-star) Visit Foiano War Cemetery en route.
Day 6 - 25 May - Optional Florence tour or free day until late p.m. Drive to Castiglione, north of Florence. Two nights half board in Hotel Roncobilaccio (near Castiglione) (3-star).
Day 7 - 26 May - Castiglione area, including South African Cemetery and 6 SA Armoured Div Front (Oct 44 - Apr 45). Monte Stanco/Monte Sole.
Day 8 - 27 May - Drive to Po valley/Adige valley area. Overnight Hotel Gardena (3-star) Verona. Half board
| Minimum paying travellers | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 plus | Single supplement | Deposit per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum paying travellers | R43 800.00 | R40 300.00 | R37 040.00 | R33 920.00 | R6 600.00 | R10 880.00 |
The above costs were based on the exchange rate being R14.50 to the pound.
Price includes:
· Flights (Egyptair) Johannesburg-Cairo-Rome. Rome-Johannesburg (via Cairo). Economy class.
· Hotel accommodation and meals as shown in itinerary
· Services of Royal British Legion battlefield guide for each leg of the tour in North Africa & Italy. Map packs relevant to each leg of the tour.
· Coaching as per the itinerary for North Africa & Italy
· Visa for Libya included in cost but cost of required Arabic passport translation is not included. Visa not required for Egypt.
Day 9 - 28 May - Two options. Either:
Return to SA, or continue to Europe.
· Fly to UK with BA - Overnight in Union Jack Club, London. Two nights B&B.
Day 10 - 29 May - Free time London. Opportunity to visit Imperial War Museum. Persuade SA High Commission to give you a reception?
Day 11 - 30 May - To France via Dover/Calais and drive to Somme area with RBL guide. Two nights half board in Campanile St Nicolas, Arras (2-star)
Day 12 - 31 May - Battle of the Somme 1916 to include:
· Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
· Delville Wood including SA Memorial &Museum.
· Butte de Warlencourt.
· Optional visit to L’Historial de la Grande Guerre - Péronne
Day 13 - 1 June - Battle of Arras 1917. 9th (Scottish) Div Memorial. Drive to Ypres. Two nights half board in Novotel Ieper (3 star).
Day 14 - 2 June - The South African Brigade in 3rd battle of Ypres including:
· Passchendael Memorial Museum, Zonnebeke.
· Tyne Cot
· Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate.
· If time permits - Messines Ridge - SA actions in Mar 1918.
Day 15 - 3 June Return to UK. Overnight in Union Jack Club London. B&B.
Day 16 - 4 June Free until return overnight BA flight to SA. Extensions in London or elsewhere in UK are possible
Day 17 - 5 June - Early a.m. Arrive Johannesburg.
| Minimum paying travellers | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 plus | Single supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum paying travellers | R65 240.00 | R61 800.00 | R58 430.00 | R55 090.00 | R 8 110.00 |
The above costs were based on the exchange rate being R14.50 to the pound.
Price includes:
· Flights (Egyptair) Johannesburg - Cairo and Cairo-Rome. Flights (British Airways), Rome - London Heathrow, London Heathrow - Johannesburg. Economy class.
· Hotel accommodation and meals for each leg (including UK) as shown in itinerary
· Services of Royal British Legion battlefield guide for each leg of the tour in North Africa, Italy and France/Belgium.
· Map packs relevant to each leg of the tour.
· Coaching as per the itinerary for North Africa, Italy and France/Belgium
· Ferry crossings for France/Belgium leg.
· Visa for Libya included in cost but cost of required Arabic passport translation is not included.
· Transfer from/to airport in UK are not included but these can be arranged if required.
| Minimum paying travellers | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 plus | Single supplement | Deposit per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum paying travellers | R50 700.00 | R47 400.00 | R44 070.00 | R41 100.00 | R 4 200.00 | R10 900.00 |
The above costs were based on the exchange rate being R14.50 to the pound.
Price includes:
· Flights (Egyptair) Johannesburg-Cairo-Rome. Flights (British Airways), Rome - London Heathrow, London Heathrow - Johannesburg. Economy class.
· Hotel accommodation and meals for each leg (including UK) as shown in itinerary.
· Admission to Passchendael Memorial Museum, Zonnebeke, Belgium
· Services of Royal British Legion battlefield guide for each leg of the tour in Italy and France/Belgium.
· Map packs relevant to each leg of the tour.
· Coaching as per the itinerary for North Africa, Italy and France/Belgium
· Ferry crossings for France/Belgium leg.
· Cost of visas required for SA passport holders for Italy & France is not included
· Transfer from/to airport in UK are not included but these can be arranged if required.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
1. Libya – Passports bearing an Israeli stamp will be refused entry.
2. No coaching in the UK is included.
3. Individuals are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct visas.
4. Admission fees for museums etc are not included, apart from Egypt and Belgium. Some, such as Delville Wood, make no charge.
5. Comprehensive Travel insurance is obligatory to join any leg of the tour.
6. The booking would be subject to our booking conditions - see www.poppytravel.org.uk - under Travel Information.
7. Although we have options, no accommodation or flights are confirmed yet and we would need deposits (non-refundable) as soon as possible to enable us to do so. The balance would be due to reach us 8 weeks before the first leg departs, ie by 14 March 09.
8. Names for passenger lists should show first & last name (as on passport) and preferred first name (if different)
9. Extensions in the UK, Egypt or Italy can be arranged if required.
10. The tour manager would be responsible for contacting next of kin of travellers in the event of an emergency.
PLEASE NOTE: All prices per person are based on sharing a twin room. Please note the single supplement. ‘Half Board’ means excluding lunch.
Ken Gillings
Tel: +27 (0)31 702 4828
Cellphone/Mobile: +27 (0)83 654 5880
E-mail: ken.gillings@mweb.co.za
Skype: kenheath1